It’s easy to take water for granted. Turn on the faucet, and the water comes out. But we live in a desert, where just 9 inches of rain fall each year and the aquifer on which we rely for drinking water is at its lowest point in 100 years. Couple that with a population surge, […]
Californians seem to be adopting conservation as a lifestyle, and that’s encouraging. It’s also necessary. As the state, particularly the southern portion, didn’t get the full benefit of El Nino this past winter and spring, drought conditions persist in much of California. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you know that drought […]
Climate change is a threat to our quality of life and our economy. The staggering costs of deepening droughts, water shortages, wildfires and epic storms will accrue until we take action. We know that excess greenhouse gases (GHG) cause climate change. We also know that we must aggressively cut GHG to prevent the worst impacts […]
A proposal to divert Colorado River water to Denver recently has won the endorsement of Gov. John Hickenlooper and the approval of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. But Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir expansion project may be just as notable for its general lack of opposition west of the Continental Divide. That’s thanks […]
With more predictions of drought-like conditions for California in the near future, it is difficult to find workable solutions when some politicians mislead the public at a critical time for our state’s water supply. It was especially alarming to hear that Donald Trump recently stood before a Central Valley audience to declare “there is no […]
Given the chance to police themselves after a wetter winter, Bakersfield’s five urban water districts are holstering their batons — relaxing or removing conservation standards while still preaching a message of saving water. Local water officials say that’s not a contradiction. They point out the State Water Resources Control Board decided in May to let local agencies […]
OPINION: Our View: Managing water takes foresight
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Twin Falls Times-NewsIt’s easy to take water for granted. Turn on the faucet, and the water comes out. But we live in a desert, where just 9 inches of rain fall each year and the aquifer on which we rely for drinking water is at its lowest point in 100 years. Couple that with a population surge, […]
Our View: Conservation should be a lifestyle
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Desert Dispatch (Barstow CA)Californians seem to be adopting conservation as a lifestyle, and that’s encouraging. It’s also necessary. As the state, particularly the southern portion, didn’t get the full benefit of El Nino this past winter and spring, drought conditions persist in much of California. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, you know that drought […]
Environmental issues top of mind with readers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)Climate change is a threat to our quality of life and our economy. The staggering costs of deepening droughts, water shortages, wildfires and epic storms will accrue until we take action. We know that excess greenhouse gases (GHG) cause climate change. We also know that we must aggressively cut GHG to prevent the worst impacts […]
Area support of diversion plans runs wide, deep
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Daily Sentinel (Colorado)by Dennis WebbA proposal to divert Colorado River water to Denver recently has won the endorsement of Gov. John Hickenlooper and the approval of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. But Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir expansion project may be just as notable for its general lack of opposition west of the Continental Divide. That’s thanks […]
OPINION: United defense key to Delta’s future
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Jerry McNerneyWith more predictions of drought-like conditions for California in the near future, it is difficult to find workable solutions when some politicians mislead the public at a critical time for our state’s water supply. It was especially alarming to hear that Donald Trump recently stood before a Central Valley audience to declare “there is no […]
Water agencies relax penalties — but still urge conservation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Bakersfield Californianby THEO DOUGLASGiven the chance to police themselves after a wetter winter, Bakersfield’s five urban water districts are holstering their batons — relaxing or removing conservation standards while still preaching a message of saving water. Local water officials say that’s not a contradiction. They point out the State Water Resources Control Board decided in May to let local agencies […]